Riders left the start line in morning and afternoon waves with temperatures being near perfect for the morning races and beautiful, but hot, in the afternoon.

PRO/OPEN

Todd Wells. (file photo)

Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Specialized Factory Racing) made it three in a row in Sun Valley, finishing six minutes ahead of silver and bronze medalists Stephen Ettinger (Bozeman, Mont./BMX Mountain Bike Racing Team) and Howard Grotts (Durango, Colo./Fort Lewis College/Specialized) in the pro men’s event. The win was the third straight Marathon Mountain Bike national title for Wells.

The men’s singlespeed competition was very fast-paced with Cary Smith (Jackson, Wyo.) posting a scorching time of 3:11:21 to slip into the Stars-and-Stripes jersey ahead of Tom Flynn (Boise, Idaho/Pro Leisure) and Aj Linnell (Victor, Idaho).

The only woman to enter the singlespeed contest, Tina Brubaker (Bend, Ore.) completed her event with a time of 4:49:09 to take the national title in Sun Valley.

In the men’s 40-44 race, Kyle Dixon (Reno, Nev./Velo Reno p/b Tamarack Junction) was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 3:21.40, ahead of second-and third-place finishers Mitt Stewart (Sandy, Utah) andSteve Price (Twin Falls, Idaho).

Rob McGee (San Clemente, Calif./Blackstar Racing) overtook quite a few riders in the final lap to take the win in the men’s 45-49 category with a time of 3:17.41. He was more than 10 minutes ahead of his nearest threat, silver medalist Mike Castaldo (Chico, Calif./Chico Masters Cycling Team). Aaron Jordin (Sandy, Utah/Canyon Bicycles-Shimano) was third in that age group.

Jon Gould (Boise, Idaho.) was the fastest in the men’s 50-54 group. In fact, he passed most of the racers in the 40-44 category to achieve the gold medal with his winning time of 3:21:55. Taking the second and third steps on the podium were Tim Zandbergen (Aliso Viejo, Calif./Team Rokform) and Brian Taylor (Boise, Idaho/Team Ascent Idaho)

Zan Treasure (Ogden, Utah/Bountiful Bicycle Racing) rode his way onto the top step of the podium among men 55-59. He finished ahead of silver and bronze medalists Terry Duran (Hailey, Idaho/Infinity Racing-Tom Williams BMX-Mini) and Russell Thorstrom (Boise, Idaho).

Bill Schultz (Missoula, Mont.) earned the national title in the men’s 60-64 category when he beat out Wayne Gorry (Payson, Ariz.) and Dwight Hibdon (Park City, Utah).

The lone competitor in the men’s 70+ category, James Wagner (Auburn, Wash./Bike Masters-WA) finished the event in a time of 4:13:33 to add a gold national championship medal to his hardware collection.

MASTERS WOMEN

The fastest masters woman of the day was Tracie Nelson (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) One of the few masters women to break the four hour barrier, she completed the women’s 30-34 race in 3:53:43 to claim victory ahead of silver and bronze medalists Becky Edmiston (Steamboat Springs, Colo./Steamboat Velo) and Chelsey Magness (Bend, Ore.).

Kristin Duyn (Portland, Ore.) was nine minutes ahead of her nearest threat when she crossed the finish line for the win. She took the top step of the women’s 35-39 podium ahead of Naomi Haverlick (Reno, Nev.) and Sarah Pittiglio (Davis, Calif.).

Another woman to break the four hour mark was Michelle Andersen (Boise, Idaho/The Elephants Perch) in the women’s 40-44 group. Her time of 3:55:25 earned her the national title while Karoline Droege (Ketchum, Idaho) and Helene Drumm (San Anselmo, Calif./Whoe Athlete-Specialized) collected the silver and bronze medals respectively.

About MBA

WARNING: Much of the action de­pict­­ed in this magazine is potentially dan­gerous. Virtually all of the riders seen in our photos are experienced ex­­perts or professionals. Do not at­tempt to duplicate any stunts that are be­­yond your own capabilities. Always wear the appropriate safety gear.